Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Thriftage and Giftage


I got a bit of a surprise when I looked at my blogger account this morning, yesterday was my 200th post! And I could not possibly let such an occasion pass without some kind of celebration. So of course there must be thank you presents for my readers. All you have to do is leave me a comment over the next four days and I'll be drawing a winner to receive a special Super Kawaii gift pack, including a customised SKM original piece, (like those seen in my etsy shop) made to your specifications!


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When it came to wearing the cute blue dress I had made for my birthday, I had one tiny problem. Being that it was a wrap dress with a separate front and back section, it ended up being quite revealing if I took more than a small ladylike step. So stairs were out of the question, and I wasn't quite sure how I was going to remedy the situation until my Mother in her infinite wisdom, suggested a fashion solution that has long been off my radar. The Slip. The full length petticoat that was a staple of every woman's wardrobe not all that long ago, but has since faded into fashion oblivion. I think that I may have been on the tail end of this underwear essentials lifespan growing up, as I have vivid memories of wearing them to primary school, but I'm not sure when they disappeared.

But buying one was an entirely different matter. While they seemed to be commonly stocked in departments stores, finding one smaller than a size 20 was just not going to happen. Uh oh. Charity shops to the rescue. I found several lovely little numbers to fit the bill, but in typical fashion I spent most of my time searching out other treasures too. I had such a serendipitous day, and kept stumbling upon treasure after treasure. So for under $70 I brought home a haul of biblical proportions, a selection of which I have prepared for your viewing pleasure. And for good measure I've included a few other little gems that appeared as birthday treats. I am in heaven this week.


1. Kawaii treats - gifted from my brother. 2. Flocked Organza fabric - Thrifted. 3. Vintage baby doll nightgowns - Thrifted. 4. Pure silk Liberty scarf - Thrifted.



1. The perfect Birthday card - gifted. 2. Pink silk slip - Thrifted. 3. Pleated satin evening bag - Thrifted. 4. Patent leather bow shoes - Thrifted.



1. Strawberry table cloth - Thrifted. 2. A very appropriate vintage styled sign - gifted from my Mother. 3. Cowboys cotton bandanna - Thrifted. 4. Vintage hand made table cloth - Thrifted.


** Thank you to Hammie for coining the new term "Thriftage" which I am finding a very handy descriptor these days. **

28 comments:

Liv Bambola said...

seems like you managed to get some good finds!! And some good gifts too! Your family know you well...
I like the look of the satin bag, very elegant.

Prudence Arcadia said...

Ah, having to default to something other than the common department store, these are the problems you want to have!

Yum...strawberry Pocky...*shakes head in distraction*

Love the vintage sign and *squees with delight* the baby doll nighties! Oh what fab finds!

Stella Polaris said...

The birthday gods must have been smiling on you! What great finds!

And I just love slips. They're great for adding warmth in the winter or length to a short dress, for hiding too much cleavage, for wearing around the house or for layering and wearing outside... I can't believe they're not a staple of women's wardobes anymore.

Anonymous said...

SKM you must know some very good thrift stores - nothing that good ever comes my way from ones I go to. That slip is just perfect. I am a big fan of wearing a slip to bed (and channelling Elizabeth Taylor in one of her movies that I can't think the name of - Cat on a hot tin roof, perhaps?)

Anonymous said...

I have enjoyed reading all 200 posts, may there be 200 more!

I thought you could try pinning the dress? But a slip sounds like a good solution. Please post the results.

Kelly said...

I have an arsenal of slips in my wardrobe, but I will admit that each one took some hunting to find! I don't understand why they are so difficult to come across anymore. I couldn't live without them! I've bought a pattern so I can sew my own, but I'm not so handy with a sewing machine so...that's not happening very well.

I had the BEST slip when I was about 12 years old. It was silky and lacy in all the right places, it fit me like a glove, and it kind of gave me boobs, which was a big deal for me when I was that young. I think it's the piece responsible for my current lingerie obsession.

WendyB said...

I love that sign!

Anonymous said...

I buy all my slips from vintage stores simply because of the range of colours....

Unknown said...

I love to searchn thrift stores for random peices of vintage underclothes,they make me feel more beautiufl than buying something from Victorias secret.

The Vintage Housewife... said...

OOOH DOLL HAPPY 200TH...I LOVE THE VINTAGE NIGHY' MY FAVORITES ARE OLGA...LATE 50'S EARLY 60'S ....OOOH YOU HAVEN'T LIVED UNTIL YOU'VE BOUGHT AN OLGA...LOVE ALL YOUR GOODIES...CAT

Elizabeth said...

What a lovely load of treasures. I love the pattern on that flocked organza.

How nice that your mum is there with all her sage wisdom, to help you when you need it. :D

I spy Pocky!

What we four say said...

Happy anniversary!! I love reading your blog and especially love your tutorials! I love petticoats!

floraposte said...

What a fabulous haul of gifts and acquisitions! Really love the flowered organza and the little black bag.

Slips are really great, but to get cool ones vintage is the only way to go.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 200th post!! :)

I am so envious of all those fantastic treasures you found! I have quite a collection of thrifted slips, since I too find it nearly impossible to find them new (or if I do, they're quite expensive). They're definitely a wardrobe-saver imho. ;) I layer them under everything!

Shallow Coffee said...

I have always had slips (thanks to mom's wisdom) and I don't know what I would do without them! The best place I've found to get them is Amazon.com. They haven't been in my local stores in years!

I wear a half slip with most of my skirts - they are invaluable in the winter when I wear tights every day.

Andrea Eames said...

Congratulations on your 200th post!

And 'thriftage' is a fantastic word :)

Unknown said...

I have a pillowcase of almost the exact pattern as the strawberry table cloth. . . it would be perfect- you'd invite me over for dinner and I'd come prepared to go into a food coma and blend right into the table cloth while I took a nap.

Skye said...

I've got a few slips (need a black one at the moment) - I used to wear vintage ones, but then they invented these seam free slinky ones which are amazing to wear. I don't know what the brand is (I buy them from our local pharmacy of all places), but Bonds make some too.

Great haul of loot!

Lisamaree said...

Oh, Blush! I am thrilled to have been mentioned on these pink hallowed 200 pages! I am loving your gifts, your love ones really know you but as for shifts and slips - Drat! I was planning a big trawl through Melbourne in January for whatever was left over from the Collette Dinnegan haul of the 90's.
I love petticoats and slips, they make a dress look "finished" to me, smooth out the lines of jersey fabrics and raise a plunging neckline to coquette level. I was devastated to lose a favourite cotton linen chemise in my stolen suitcase. It was bias cut with a ruffled broderie anglais finish on the bust and was a cornerstone of several outfits. Still looking for a replacement online and in thrift stores. Tell you what, I bags the Northern Hemisphere first?
Happy 200 posts Super K!!!
xx

Rebecca, A Clothes Horse said...

Fantastic haul!
I guess I never got wrapped up in the no slip community, I find a slip such an essential layering piece! I don't know what I would do without mine...
Congratulations on your 200th post!

Anonymous said...

Love the satin evening bag, its divine! And the vintage sign from your mum :)

I wore petticoats to primary school too...I think I was the most overdressed kid at school, thanks mum! ( some things haven't changed haha)

esme and the laneway said...

I agree – lets bring slips back! You found some great ones – and thriftage silk?! Impressive, and I'm jealous! :D

Robo said...

The flocked organza and pleated satin purse are beautiful. What are you going to use the fabric for? The pink slip is cute too...bordering on lingerie as clothes, but I'm sure you're a much better judge of that!

Bucca said...

I love the ' So much jewelry and so little chocolate' sign! I need one!!
Happy Birthday btw!

Rachael Hutchings said...

I just moved and so have the fun adventure of getting to know my local thrift stores! Thanks for all of your inspiration.

TheSundayBest said...

Congratulations indeed! May your corner of the internet shine ever brighter these next few days!

Imelda Matt - The Despotic Queen of Shoes said...

Happy 200th post Mamaxxxx

Lady Melbourne said...

Congratulations on 200 posts Mama!
LM
x