Op Shop Guide - The North Shore Line

Since I spend a lot of my time browsing op shops for clothes I thought I would compile some maps of op shops in the Sydney region.  They will be organised by train lines.  I have excluded op shops that are not easy to get to via train as rail is my preferred form of transport.  These places should be within a 10-15 minute walk away from the station.  I hope Sydney residents find it helpful!  Everyone else, I apologise as this isn’t very useful for you.  The stores in the US like Goodwill are huge and cheap compared to the stores here.  I am so very jealous.  On average I spend about $7 on tops and $9 on bottoms when I am shopping.

If I have missed any, please let me know.  :)

Here is the link to the Google Map.

View Op Shops - North Shore Line in a larger map

Review: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Most famous for his first novel, The Virgin Suicides, Middlesex is Eugnenides' second book, published 9 years after his debut.

The book is hefty but do not be intimidated by the 500+ pages of Middlesex, believe me they pass by quickly.  The novel is incredibly readable and that is a positive thing.  The prose flows and is processed easily from page to brain, the voices of each of the characters are consistent, distinct and realistic.  The plot may seem absurd and kind of ick, but honestly, Cal was so well realised, and so likeable, you forget the similarities to Flowers in the Attic.

The quote that I remember most distinctly from the novel, which also happens to be the 'most liked' quote on Goodreads, go figure.


"Emotions, in my experience, aren't covered by single words.  I don't believe in "sadness," "joy," or "regret."  Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that it oversimplifies feeling.  I'd like to have at my disposal complicated hybrid emotions, Germanic train-car constructions like, say, "the happiness that attends disaster."  Or: "the disappointment of sleeping with one's fantasy."  I'd like to show how "intimations of mortality brought on by aging family members" connects with "the hatred of mirrors that begins in middle age."  I'd like to have a word for "the sadness inspired by failing restaurants" as well as for "the excitement of getting a room with a minibar."  I've never had the right words to describe my life, and now that I've entered my story, I need them more than ever. ” 

Eugenides effortlessly ties together many themes such as the American Dream, finding your identity, fate/chance and nature vs. nurture, into bundle of words that was of the utmost pleasure to read.  

I kind of wish I grew up in Detroit at the same time as Eugenides so that I could get a deeper understanding about the culture of Detroit and the geography of the the city since I didn't have any prior knowledge before reading the book.  Alas, if only I had a TARDIS.  

After I finished the book, I was ready to turn back to page one and start reading it again.  This is a rare occurrence for me, so this book goes onto my mental/literal shelf of favourite books.  I feel that I should write more about this novel and why I like it so much but my mediocre writing skills would be doing a disservice to this fine novel.

Plumbing the Depths

 "Your parents must be lonely now that both you and your sister have moved out." 
 "Hmm, yeah I guess so." 

It takes a little old lady to point this out to me.  I don't know which one makes my heart break more - that it probably is true or that I never even gave it a thought.

This conversation happened months ago when it was Lunar New Year and every now and then the conversation drifts into my mind.  I try to call my parents more frequently and it's always a relief to hear their voices admonishing me.

Playlist #1

Here are a selection of songs that I am currently listening to repeatedly.  Josh Pyke, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds and Bloc Party are some of my all-time favourite artists.  The Submarine soundtrack by Alex Tuner is 6 songs of perfection.  Here I've only included Glass in the Park.

Enjoy!  Here is the link for the Youtube playlist.

Stripes, Rainy Days and Much Mohr

Clockwise (L-R): cucumber pickles, mochi with mung bean paste, a punny fish and chip store, mornings in a suburb of Sydney

I am gradually growing to like the camera in my phone, it's convenient for those unexpected moments.  Every week I volunteer at an organisation and I always walk past this fish and chip shop called Mohr Fish.  I really do love a good (or do I mean terrible?) pun.  Mohr Fish, Mohr's Circle?!  If the pavement weren't so grimy I would be on the ground laughing.

One thing that doesn't make me ROFL are mornings that look like the picture above.  This is at 6.30 - 7am when sunlight should be streaming through the window, blinding me.  At least the weather has been consistently bad, every afternoon for the past week there have been thunderstorms/rain so at least I know when I have to bring the clothes in from the line.

One topic I do love to talk about is food.  Cucumber pickles are simple to make and is a staple in my world.  I always eyeball the proportions but usually it's 1:0.75 of sugar to vinegar since I like it a little on the sweet side. Basically you just make the brine to your taste and then add a clove of sliced garlic, one star anise and a few flakes of chilli to the liquid and then dump your sliced cucumber in.

It'll be ready in 30 minutes and the flavour intensifies with a longer pickling time.  I leave it in the fridge and take some out each time for dinner.  To make it extra crunchy you can salt the cucumber before pickling.  Sprinkle salt onto the slice cucumber, let it sit for 30 mins, drain and then rinse and drain the cucumber.  If you need a recipe to follow, this one would be a good one to use.

Now continuing on with the food thread...I am indifferent towards mochi, I like the filling but don't like the chewy texture of the exterior.  For some inexplicable reason I wanted to make some from scratch.  It's very laborious making it from scratch, allow ample time for wrapping.

I made a mung bean paste instead of red bean paste because that's all I had in the pantry.  I used the bean paste recipe from here and the mochi recipe from here.  If you decide to make it I would suggest adding a little more liquid to the mochi paste as it was very dry when I made it,  add about 1/4 cup more liquid.  Also if you let the cooked dough cool a little, it becomes much easier to work with.

Wearing: Lee blue jeans and Minkpink black and white striped shirt

I am definitely a jeans and T-shirt type of person.  It's comfortable and practical.  Usually I will wear a pair of ballet flats with this but if it's raining or I am in the lab for uni I will wear sneakers.  In the future I am trying to purchase less casual tops since as my Dad correctly pointed out, I am not a kid anymore and so T-shirts shouldn't be a staple of my wardrobe.  This year I am looking for nice soft cotton button up blouses and plain coloured shirts rather than the graphic T-shirts you will typically find me in.

Clockwise (L-R): Travel by Land candle lid, the actual candle, updated watch, the weave of my cotton curtain


I ordered a Diane von Furstenberg scarf for my sister as it's her 30th birthday soon.  It's from some fancy schmancy store called Matches.  Their shipping was a eye-watering £30 which is about $45 AUD. They do wrap it up nicely I will admit.  So to soften the blow, I bought this candle for myself.  It has a bergamot scent, very citrusy.

I discovered that you can update the look of a watch by changing the watch band. Before it was one of those leather cuff watches, like these ones.  Kinda too sporty, beachy for me because I am neither. After several years of constant use, the strap has become worn, the dusty pink has become pinky grey, the notch that I usually tighten the band to has slowly merged into the next notch.  So at the jewellers I got the band replaced with this brandy coloured leather band.  Much more grown up now.

Acquisitions Log #2

source

Date: 5 January 2012

The purpose of this bag is for formal occasions,  job interviews, and when I eventually have a proper job (ie. a job relevant to my degree).  Although the bag is not something I will be using very often now, it is something I will need in the future.  Now all I need is a nice suit set, this is quite difficult to find as the jacket half is always a little too short for me.  Argh!  Bracelet length, anyone?  I've been borrowing my sister's suit set.

I was looking for an elegant, classic leather bag with minimal branding.  This Oroton bag fulfilled my criteria, I think it's from a previous collection.  Not 100% sure since I bought it used from eBay.  

Date: 11 January 2012

These shoes were bought new.  It's difficult to get used shoes that are comfortable and in good condition.  I had looked everywhere for a pair of comfortable flats during the sales, looked at the cheap stuff, looked at the expensive stuff.  Nothing appealed to me and so my last stop was Kmart.  Oddly enough these are comfy, they don't pinch the toes and they didn't give me blisters the first time I wore them.  It's incredibly tempting to buy an extra pair or two as spares.  

Acquisitions Log #1

As promised I am keeping a rigorous log of items of clothing that I acquire.

In the area that I live in, people often dump their stuff on the curb/green strip.  It is common to see used TVs and furniture out exposed to the elements.  Often bags of rubbish are added to the growing pile as people are too lazy to walk to the bins.  But I digress.  Sometimes people also dump their clothes in bags on the sidewalk as well.  This time I was lucky and managed to scavenge a pile of stuff and so I am pretty much set for the cooler months.

Items that were acquired on 3rd January 2012:

• MNG wide leg trousers
• Temt shift top
• Avocado cream knitted long cardigan
• H&M oatmeal (such an overused descriptive word) pureed banana, malt milkshake short-sleeve cardigan
• Swamp coloured vest top
• Red Berry striped jumper
• A bunch of jewellery

Print Your Own Fabric

One of my favourite things to do is to print my own fabric.  I like the process of picking and drawing the design, tracing and cutting and finally printing it onto the material.  Not that I can sew or anything, after I make the material it is hoarded away in the cupboard.

Some material prints I have done, in case you need some ideas!

• Black stencil style rose on jewel purple satin.
• A very simple mandala in black on cream coloured cotton.
• Black horse shapes printed on cream cotton.
• Little stencil cameras in black printed on cream linen.  Blue and red stripes were also printed on the material.
• A big anchor in black on a red and white striped bag.

The key is to choose a image or pattern that is simple.  It makes tracing and cutting the design a lot easier.  Some other simple shapes would be clouds, stars, silhouettes of dogs or people.  Choosing a design with lots of straight lines instead of curved lines will also make the cutting stage easier too.

After you pick your design, resize to desired size or tile it if you're planning to print a pattern.  I usually use acetate sheets (also called overhead transparency sheets) to make my stencil.  Another way is to trace your design onto a sheet of lino and then carve the shape out.  Although I haven't tried this method, I think this method is better but you will need to purchase lino carving tools and the lino blocks.

Now if your printer is capable, you can print it directly onto the plastic sheet.  If not, print it onto white paper.


Now you have two ways to do this.  You can trace the design onto your plastic sheet using a permanent marker.  Or you can tape the paper to the plastic sheet and then begin cutting.  I prefer to carefully trace the design onto the plastic as sometimes the paper can move when you are cutting it if you just taped it together.  Sometimes if I am being really anal I will tape the plastic and paper together AND THEN trace the design onto the plastic.

The last step is optional but I like smooth curves and straight lines.  To fix any wobbly edges I cover it with clear sticky tape and then I trim and shape it to a smoother edge using a pair of sharp scissors.


Finally, you can get to the fun part!  It's times to print onto the material.  I use Permaset printing ink since it is water soluble so it is easier to clean.  I recommend you use natural fibres like cotton for printing on since you will be applying heat to the material in the curing process.

The printing process:

1. Using a plate or a ice cream lid, place some of the ink on it.
2. Get your sponge roller and roll it over the ink until the roller is loaded with ink.
3. I usually do a test run on a scrap piece of material (see the first picture) to make sure that I am happy with the stencil.
4. Place some newspaper or cardboard underneath the material so you don't make a mess.  Make sure the material is flat and smooth with no wrinkles or creases.
5. Place the stencil onto the material.  Carefully pass the roller over the stencil a few times until the material is well saturated with colour.
6. Carefully peel off the stencil.  Admire your handiwork.
7. Wipe the excess off the stencil, making sure not to get any ink onto the side where the stencil comes in contact with the material.
8. After the ink has dried, you have to cure the ink.  Your tub of ink should have instructions, it involves an iron and heat.
9. Repeat the printing process to your heart's content.

List #2

I am slowly slogging my way through the many seasons of The X-Files, I am up to the second season now.  The clothing in it is distinctly from the 90s, very boxy shapes and baggy overcoats.  I really like the banter and relationship between Mulder and Scully.

Nip/Tuck is a bit of a obsession for me right now, it's so easy to watch. I don't have to think too much when I watch it...except when they do surgeries, my advice is to not be eating when you're watching.

Forbrydelsen has to go onto my list of all time favourite TV shows.  I spent two weeks obsessed with the show and after the resolution of the case, I am still thinking about the show.  Lund is such a different female character from other crime shows eg. Castle or Bones or CSI  True they are different shows within the same genre but Lund is so refreshing as a character...she just wants to get the job done.  She is stubborn, determined and so very intelligent.  It's also more realistic than other crime shows - mistakes are made, people hide the truth, people are multi-faceted... not that much gun waving or dramatic arrests.  I mean that in a good way too.

Other current favourites:  Sherlock (BBC), the Good Wife, and Borgen.

What shows do you like to watch?

Inventory - Version 1

After seeing Dead Fleurette do an inventory of her wardrobe, I felt the urge to catalogue what is in mine as well.  I'm not very fashionable but I do want to try and make sure I wear as many of my items as possible.  This isn't really useful for you since there are no pictures but it's more to remind myself of what I have.  Clothes that are too worn to wear out are relegated to the 'wear at home' category which is not shown below.  

For the most part, 2011 was a year where I made a conscious effort to consume less, buy less new stuff and buy more used clothing.  To consider each purchase carefully, regardless of whether it was in the department store or charity store.  For 2012, I am going to try and keep a rigorous log of what I buy.

Next to each item will be one or more coloured circles.  The legend for it is as follows.
• Items that I wear on a regular basis
• Items that I should wear more frequently
• Never worn, will wear
• Never worn, not sure what to do with it
• Item is too big/small, too worn or not my style.  Get rid of it, donate, or sell.
Items that are in italics were purchased new.
* These are for a specific use ie job interviews, corporate wear.  I am buying for the future, so to speak.

Outerwear •MNG boucle coat •Supre denim jacket •Temt biker jacket •Beige blazer •Target grey wool  overcoat  •Vintage navy overcoat Button Up Shirts •Floral paisley print shirt •Van Heusen purple striped shirt •Black 3/4 stretchy shirt Short-sleeve shirts •Grey graphic print  T-shirt  ••White Audrey Hepburn graphic print T-shirt  •Beige graphic print  T-shirt  •Supre black T-shirt  •Supre black loose  shirt •Supre peach loose shirt •Glasson black loose top •Country Road navy loose top •Just Jeans black top with white pussy bow •Cream w/ black blow print T-shirt •Target striped shirt

Long-sleeve shirt •Target dark grey shirt •Mink Pink black and white shirt •Grey and white 3/4 raglan shirt Knits & Jumpers •Max Mara cream wool cardigan ••Thin black & grey stripe cardigan •French Connection striped pullover •Ally grey turtleneck •Target stone coloured short sleeve cardigan  ••Cotton On grey  hoodie  Trousers and Shorts •Missoni black slim trousers •Black stretchy flared trousers •French Connection check shorts •Quirky Circus tweed shorts   •ASOS dusty plum shorts

Jeans ••Lee Rider black jeans •Lee Rider dark blue  jeans  •Lee Rider blue jeans  •Levi blue jeans Skirts •French Connection geometric print cotton skirt •Saba denim pencil skirt •Green tie-dyed summer skirt *Witchery grey wool pencil skirt Dresses •Cotton On stripe and chambray summer dress  Footwear •Vintage brown leather lace up ankle boots •Target low wedge peep toes  •Target black wedge sandals  •I Heart Billy black ballet flats •Ziera clompy red flats  ••Gladiator sandals *Sandler black leather pumps  Bags •Vintage Oroton brown leather shoulder bag •ASOS black slouchy shoulder bag * Black Oroton 'Ebony' bag

My favourite clothes to wear are jeans and T-shirts as they are a comfy combination.  Also I don't have to think too much in regards to dressing when I am rushing for the train to get to a 9am lecture.  I am most definitely not a skirt or dress person, I will reluctantly wear them when I have absolutely nothing else to wear.  I am not sure what to do with the skirts and dress I have, the pencil skirt is especially nice... I might wear it one day.  The print on the French Connection skirt is very cute and colourful.  It reminds me of ice creams and sunny days. 

Shoes that fit well are very hard to find in charity stores, it is even harder to find ones that are in good condition.  So I think for shoes I will have to buy new.  Right now I am looking for a new backpack for school since the zip is busted beyond repair on my current one.

For 2012 I am looking for a pair of ballet flats preferably in black or dark caramel or sandals, a pair of slim leg black trousers and a new hoodie or wool coat.  I am eternally searching for long sleeved clothes as my arms are longer than average.  Sometimes I put on a jacket and the sleeves are at least 2 inches away from my wrist.  Bracelet length, my ass.  Finding clothes that fit is the bane of my existence.