One of our favourite haunts is Savers and we try to get there every time we're both in Melbourne.

Their website describes the store as "The Ultimate Treasure Hunt'' and I completely agree!

There are a few Savers outlets in the Melbourne and they are literally massive.

The one in Frankston has two levels, a lift, an escalator and racks and racks of clothes. In one corner there are shelves stacked with books and old records, glass cabinets line the walls overflowing with jewellery and rows of shoes point towards the fitting rooms.

Just over half my work wardrobe is pieced together with great op-shop finds and Savers goodies. Even the lamp on my bedside table, with an old brass base and glass shade, was a $5 find.

This weekend I'm extremely excited as I will be trekking out to The Mill Market in Daylesford. I've heard it's one of the best retro shops in the area and can't wait to scavenge for goodies.

I love the feel in the antique and vintage stores I've been to in Ballarat. The people behind the counter seem genuinely happy to talk to you about the items for sale and the stories behind them, unlike some of the pretentious Melbournites working in retro stores.

There's something extremely satisfying about finding something special at an op-shop and knowing you're the only one who has it. A lot of people ask me to take them op-shopping but I've found that you always find the best stuff when you're on your own (although when I shop with Julian it's fine because he's looking for guys stuff and there's no competition).

If you are keen to go op-shopping in Ballarat I have a few simple tips:

- Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to take off if you want to try things on and wear flat shoes;

- Don't go with the aim of getting anything specific. Keep an open mind, browse all the racks and rummage in the discount bins. Some of the best dresses I've found have been on the plus size racks where no one thought to look, and;

- Be prepared to haggle. Not so much at the charity shops, that's a bit rude, but at some of the vintage shops you can ask for a discount if you're buying in bulk.

But the most important thing is be prepared to walk away empty handed. Even if you go to four or five shops in the one go, sometimes there's just nothing that grabs you. Don't give up.

For a head start check out some of these Ballarat Op-Shops and make sure to let me know if there are any others locally that I don't know about yet.