If there has to a last day, this may as well be it

The last day of a holiday is never easy. I am prone to industrial strength mooching and an unhealthy focus on immediate days gone by. To counter this time-wasting,  I elected to do something cheerful and harmless yet surprising. Something that involved scarves, ladies in aprons and possibly a teacup.

So I applied my favourite perfume

 dressed sensibly, armed myself with a large bag

and went to some op and consignment stores way outside my comfort zone. It was a wise move for at the op shops I caught

a couple of silk scarves, $2 each

...a huge fuzzy wool scarf - possibly cashmere or alpaca or a blend of both, soft as a bunny's belly ($5) and some bluebirds on three bread & butter plates - $1 each. 

Frankly I don't know how I have survived to this point in history without these bird plates. 

Nearby stands a consignment store where years ago I, in a fit of rationale I still don't recognize or can explain, decided against buying a genuine Hermes camera bag for $85.00. I didn't really need it, I reasoned. I'll find another Hermes bag I like better one day, I told myself. 

I still can't believe I did that. Perhaps I was possessed by the spirit of some long dead relative who didn't like me much. 

It appears lost-Hermes kharma was in play because I scored 

a grey wool-cotton blend Marni skirt for $68 in pristine condition

a fascinating georgette skirt in a snakeskin print for $18 (Seriously, this winter: black tights, black flat boots, fierce black coat, bright red clutch, matching lipstick, this skirt, me. Can't wait.)

An unworn black Charactere blazer for $20

and a denim Isabel Marant Etoile shirt dress in denim for $54. If I were to tell you how much I love this dress I'd have no time to wear it.

By now I was on a roll and almost looking forward to going back to work so I went to another op shop to find

two very pretty old English dinner plates ($8 the pair) a mother of pearl pendant, a red glass Czech brooch, a filigree dress clip  and an effective bracelet - $18 the lot. The pendant and dress clip are lovely.

Sometimes when I'm stuck at my desk involved in a futile argument about section 15a with someone on the phone while my lunch hour whizzes past again, I dream of just walking out and going somewhere (anywhere) where I can scour racks of clothes and handle sweet jewellery. This year I will have some reference points for those escape dreams.