Haul! Part 1

I've done a bit of spending lately (most of it justified, I think!), and there's nothing I love more to do than sharing my good finds with friends, so we can all squeal with excitement and agree or disagree with one another.

Okay, first up.

Item: Red jacket

Price: $30

Store: Local Vinnies

Material: Unknown

Brand: Chelsea Fashion

Verdict: The things it had going against it were:

- material: no idea what it was, didn't feel natural or breathable, no washing or care instructions inside

- size: it was just that wee bit tight on me

- price: $30! for a second hand jacket from Vinnies!

- brand: never heard of it before, but it did rhyme with my name

The things it had going for it was:

- colour

- size: well, it's good incentive for me to keep up the healthy lifestyle in order to fit into it!

- cut: very well constructed, made up of different panels

- look: it's got that retro look about it and I love retro, plus not very many people would have something similiar

- care: there is a label inside that says "needs no ironing"

- made in Israel: sounded exotic!

After I bought the jacket, I took it to the seamstress next door and asked her for her opinion on how to wash it. She suggested gentle, warm, liquid wool wash and hand wash. She advised using towels to roll up and squeeze moisture out of it. I figured I could get some free advice since I've paid her for some alteration recently (that's a bit of elsieconomics for you: pay for some work -> be friendly -> build a relationship -> get free advice)

Item: Jeans

Price: $12

Store: Local Vinnies

Material: 98% cotton, 2% elsastometric

Brand: Marcs Baby Doll

Verdict: I remember in my late teens and early 20s, Marcs Baby Doll were quite the brand. Don't know if they still are now. At least I'm catching up :P They were 16cm too long for me, and I've hemmed them up (without chopping anything off). So now I have two pairs of denim jeans, and I don't have to live from wash to wash :P

Item: Watch

Price: $6

Store: Katoomba Vinnies

Brand: Zico

Verdict: I bought this watch about two Summer Schools ago. I had to spend more money putting a battery in to get it to work, but I love it. Small, very simple design and has that retro look to it.

Next up:

Price: $15

Store: Local Vinnies

Material: 80% Wool, 20% Polyester

Brand: Unknown

Verdict: Once again, this is a wee bit too small for me. I feel like seams are going to burst when I get in and out of it. It's especially tight across the shoulders, but I figured it was good incentive to keep up the healthy lifestyle, and if it's still tight a few months down the track, I'm sure I could find a smaller friend who would appreciate it. I'm not going to let a good find like that get away easily! I'm not a fan of the puffy sleeves, and it's a hand wash garment.

Moving on...

Item: Blue cardigan

Price: $15.99 (reduced from $35.99)

Store & Brand: Paper Scissors

Material: 100% Cotton

Verdict: This is the kind of top Trinny & Sussanah would have me wear. Great for the office. Hand wash too though (darn, didn't check that!).

Item: Black jeans

Price: $10

Store: Local Vinnies

Material: 98% Cotton, 2% Elastane

Brand: Witchery

Verdict: I don't really have any long pants except for jeans, so I decided I needed a non-blue-denim pants option. So now I have three pairs of long pants I can wear! This pair is 13cm too long for me, but I am hemming them up.

And next we have...

Item: Grey Jacket

Price: $27.99 (reduced from $39.99)

Store & Brand: Paper Scissors

Material: 60% Cotton, 30% Polyester, 5% Spandex

Verdict: I really ummed and ahhed over this one. I thought the price was okay (I would have liked it to have been $20), and I wondered if I really needed another coat-looking jacket. I already have two: my favourite blue Dangerfield coat which I wear quite a lot, and a black Crossroads one which was bought last season, but is too big for me (but I could still wear). I thought I couldn't wear my blue one all the time (or can I? Does it really matter? Probably not), so I decided to buy this one. It feels quite fleecy and warm.

I may or may not have been influenced by Frocks and Frou Frou. Stay tuned for Haul! Part 2. And it's not all clothes!