Thursday 4 February 2016

Not buying it - Days 33 and 34


Day 33


I was feeling like a lie in this morning so I didn't get up in time to go on a Rambler's walk. 
I find the older I get the less I like rushing around. If something requires rushing around - count me out.
So. although I didn't get up in time I still went walking. I walked to a village about 3 miles outside of Bedford called Bromham. In fact I walked to end of Bromham Park,which was the home of the local gentry, and back again - 7 miles exactly. I spied these lovely snowdrops on my walk.


I thought this tree was magnificent!



We lived in Bromham when I first moved to Bedfordshire 35 years ago. I didn't like it. I was born and grew up in London and I love cities and towns. I didn't drive when we lived in Bromham and the public transport was woeful; it was difficult to do shopping and go anywhere with two small children. I was much happier when I moved into Bedford town! The countryside is lovely but I don't want to live in it. I do enjoy walking in it though!

(I had taken a few more pictures and put them on the blog and then deleted them from my phone. When I came to add in day 34 they'd disappeared from the blog too!)

I wore this outfit today - more red but some  burnt orange/rust too!




The camel colour trousers have zips at the bottom and I bought them from the La Redoute sale some years ago. I usually wear them in the summer, but as they are made of thick cotton I've co opted them for winter too. The knitted rust/burnt orange waistcoat was a charity shop find - originally from Primarni. The tunic has a bit of a 60s vibe with the red,camel, purple and mocha psychedelic pattern; charity shopped.


I'm wearing my brown animal print boots from Primarni but I didn't walk in them - I wore my proper walking boots.


The beads were a gift from son's ex partner and the earrings were charity shopped. They combine red and orange and were the inspiration for this outfit.



Day 34


I did get up and go walking today and we did 5 miles. It was a beautiful day and quite mild. We hoped we would see some lambs, but we're a few weeks too early; although we saw some very pregnant ewes. 2 sheep had got out of a field and we had fun trying to get them back in. I don't mind a bit of sheep herding when I'm walking!


I've worn this tunic before here (but not as part of 'not buying it') and it came from a charity shop some years ago. The vest/waistcoat is a recent purchase from the Children's Society for £3.99. Leggings are from M&S and I have a brown pair too, bought with a gift voucher which was a retirement present from work colleagues. Black boots  from Next, a Christmas present from daughter about 3 years ago.


This coral scarf came from the charity shop where I volunteer; it was £1.99. Bangles are charity shopped and the bracelet a gift from my ex mum-in-law. Watch charity shopped.


Earrings are, naturally, from Sainsburys!

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Not Buying it - Days 32 and 33


Day 32

Just the usual busy Monday today, school run, followed by charity shop volunteering. Then a quick browse around a couple of charity shops. I bought a book on allotments and a pair of sunglasses in my own charity shop. Then home to tidy up, put the washing away and another wash on. Off to to pick grandchildren up, on to post office and then home with youngest where he he waits for either his mum or Dad to pick him up.


Skirt from Wallis and bought last year in the RSPCA charity shop for £3.99. Black and white top £1.00 rail charity shop. Boots Clarks 50% off sale about 5 years ago.


Necklace 2 euros charity shop in Donegal. Earrings Sainsburys. Watch and bangles charity shopped.

Day 33



I'm wearing an ink blue tunic from M&S charity shopped, over navy blue leggings. Red cardigan for warmth and contrast, charity shopped, and red boots, retail on line. The scarf was rescued from the rag bag at my volunteer charity shop; it's from Next and cost the princely sum of 50 p! I needed it on today when I was out and about and at the food bank. I also walked 4 miles - I took the long way home!


You can see that the tunic has contrasting striped detail on the top.


Bangles charity shopped. Necklace £3.00 from the RSPCA in Newport Pagnell last week. Earrings - Sainsburys of course!


I love this necklace - you'll be seeing a lot of it!

I'm off to link up with Anne's 52 Pick Me up  as my tunic is ink blue  - not navy!!

Sunday 31 January 2016

Not buying it - Days 30 and 31


Day 30




I've been learning a lot from this blogging business. You think you know what suits you - clothes wise - you try and dress for your body shape (well I do), you think you know what colours suit you - and then you see the photos!

OMG - is that what I look like?

Since I started blogging almost 3 months ago, I've learned that I don't suit skater dresses or stretchy pencil skirts like the one I wore yesterday. So I've put 4 skater dresses, one other dress; 3 skirts, a pair of jeans, a pair of Gap trousers size 10; (I haven't been a size 10 in trousers since the late 1990s - what was I thinking of when I bought these?) 6 cardigans and a couple of tops in the charity shop bag. Not so long ago, I got rid of any jeans, trousers or skinny jeans that were low rise as they emphasised my 'muffin' top.  That amounted to about 8 pairs and then I got rid of 3 pairs of jeggings because they fall down onto my hips and I suffer from saggy crotch...not a good look on anyone!

 Despite making more room in my wardrobes with this cull, I've still got so many clothes that I could go until 2017 just shopping my wardrobe! Of course I will buy more clothes after day 42 or 56  - if I can last that long. But this time I will be shopping more critically and  much more aware of what looks good on me and what doesn't.

I will be looking out for more structured pencil skirts; A line dresses and I really, really want some boyfriend jeans. I had some but they were low rise so you know where they went, don't you!  I will continue looking for that special animal print coat and I know I'll find one. Top shop's recent popular one, which retailed at £80.00, was reduced to half price in their sale and then I saw it in the window of a charity for £39.99; unfortunately in both instances a size too small for me. Oh well. I will also be looking for more quality pieces and more vintage items and I will continue with the one in and one out rule.


I wore this today when I went to visit my son. I think this outfit suits me and I like pattern mixing - not something I would have done before I started blogging, but I've been inspired by other bloggers! Long may it last.

I have worn something similar to this here but again before the 'not buying it pledge'. Ankle boots
donated by my daughter; red skinny jeans charity shopped, striped top £1.00 rail charity shop in Wellingborough, cardigan charity shopped.


Owl pendant bought in Newport Pagnell Age UK for £1.00. Bangles charity shopped as is the
 watch, and earrings came from Debenhams in their Christmas sale 2 years ago.

Day 31

Well, you're in for a treat today - NOT! I've been so busy I haven't had time to put make up on. I'm very pale with out my blusher and highlighter, mascara and lipstick; I've never worn foundation.





We went for a 4.5 mile walk today, did the housework and cooked dinner for the family and had a lovely lie in until 9.30 hence no time to put the slap on.


I don't know how to describe these trousers. They're like joggers but cuffed but not wide like harem pants, and they have a thick banded elasticated waistband with two side pockets . Anyway, they're made out of a drapey, jersey type material and are very comfortable. From a charity shop of course. The yellow patterned top is a crossover one from Wallis and worn back to front also charity shopped, as is the grey knitted tunic. The boots are from Debenhams and were a Christmas present the Christmas before last from my OH.


I bought this necklace in Newport Pagnell last week in Age UK for £1.25. Earrings charity shopped, as is bangle (Willen Hospice in Newport Pagnell) and watch and ring.

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend.

Friday 29 January 2016

Not buying it - Days 28 and 29



Day 28


I went walking again today, on my own, and did 5.75 miles. Whilst I was following a footpath I spied this bird of prey on a fencepost:


I know it's not a very good picture. The sun was in my eyes, I didn't have my glasses on and this is as much zoom I could get out of my phone camera. I'm not sure if it's a buzzard or even a sparrow hawk. We had one of those on the bird table a few months back. My OH managed to get a picture of it:


Today, every time I got closer to the bird of prey, it flew off to a fence post further on, and then as I approached again he flew off;  this went on for several fence posts until eventually growing tired of teasing me, he/she flew off over my head back to its original fence post perch. 

It's one of the perks of walking in the countryside - what wildlife will you see? So far I've seen:  Reece's Pheasant, a cuckoo, an egret, lapwings, kites, buzzards, pheasants and a woodpecker. I've seen a deer, rabbits and a fox. I once found a fox's lower mandible and brought it home to display it on my bookshelves. OH suggested I boil it first to get rid of the germs and it promptly fell to bits!!


I'm wearing M&S skinny jeans, charity shopped, denim shirt charity shopped, Animal print cardigan bought from Studio catalogue for £4.00 and animal print boots bought on line.



I bought these pearls yesterday in Newport Pagnell for £1.00 in Age UK and the  animal print earrings were bought in a charity shop last year. I've worn a similar outfit to this one before here but it was before the not buying it pledge!

Week 5 - Day 29

Yes, it's start of week 5 of not buying it (any clothes from the charity shops, that is). I'm not finding it difficult to make up the outfits, but it's difficult to remember to get photos taken everyday and then blog every other day. I do admire bloggers who post daily. I'll be glad to get back to once or twice a week!

Another denim shirt today! I also have a chambray one which I've planned to wear quite soon.




Skirt from Primarni, shirt bought on line, short sleeved cardigan charity shopped. I'm wearing plum leggings underneath for warmth but they don't show in these photos.  Zara boots charity shopped. Necklace was a gift from my daughter's ex partner. Silver bracelets some gifts, some charity shopped.


I had my hair cut today. Grandson was taking photos so I tried a selfie. Earrings charity shopped.
See you on Sunday!

Wednesday 27 January 2016

Not Buying it - Days 26 and 27


Day 26


I love brown and sometimes I think it is superior to black. I went for a brown look today as well as keeping warm - it's cold at the food bank!


The knitted tunic is charity shopped, the M & S brown striped top likewise.  Brown leggings and boots from Sainsburys. Bangles and watch charity shopped.





I tend to look quite flushed in my photos. That's because by the time the photos are taken - usually early evening, my house has finally warmed up and I've been rushing around cooking, hanging up washing or sorting out grand kids - you know the usual stuff of every day living - plus I still get hot flushes. Nobody told me they continued post menopause!

Earrings are from Bedford market years and years ago - the necklace was 50p at a car boot sale.

I have now finished my library books and enjoyed all of them. I found 'The Glorious Heresies'  excellent and funny in places but quite disturbing. I loved 'Acts of Vandalism' and want to read more about Grouse County. I found the author (Tom Drury) quite similar to Kent Haruf in his tales of small town American life and wonderfully realised characters. I'm also going to track down more of Sarah Moss' books; 'Night Waking' was a brilliant read, laugh out loud funny in places but deeply serious subject matter. I can highly recommend all three.

Day 27


In the 1980s I wanted a Laura Ashley dress so badly. I just couldn't afford to buy one - until Saturday! I spotted this on the £1.00 rail and wished it was 30 years ago when I could have fitted into this - a UK 12. I couldn't just leave it on the £1.00 rail and thought someone out there might like it. Email me if it's your cup of tea and I'll gladly send it to you in exchange for postage costs. 
So much material in the dress which is a lovely peacock blue/green, and if I was a sewing person - which I'm not - (a hem is as much as I can manage) - then it could even be turned into a maxi skirt. It's very long, I'm 5' 3" and it's ball gown length on me with a bit to spare.....

So, although I'm not buying clothes (ahem! what's that above? Yes, but it's not for me and so it doesn't count) I have been on a couple of short charity shopping expeditions. This is what I bought on Saturday and Monday:


Assorted bangles 20p to 99p. Round brooch 50p in Save the Children, oval brooch £1.99 in the Salvation Army and the earrings, which were 99p. The little dish was 50p in 3:16 Christian charity shop. I also bought a white cotton  embroidered pillowcase in here for 50p. I always look out for this type of pillow case in charity shops as I love the feel and the look of crisp, white cotton and the embroidery makes them a little bit different. I have about 7 or 8 pillow cases  of this type so far.


These were a really good find. £5.00 in Oxfam. They're from Next and haven't been worn - the sole is spotless! I don't have any pointy toed loafers so these will be lovely when the weather gets warmer, and what's more they're wide fitting - I have small but wide feet.


I bought these two lovely scarves at Save the Children for £1.99 each. I've already worn the green one here

Today I went to Newport Pagnell and bought these two little prints for my daughter, she has a beach theme on one wall in her living room...




Talking of pictures; some weeks ago I also bought this for her in the Keech Hospice shop for £3.99. I get just as much pleasure buying things for other people in charity shops as I do for myself - do you? I bought quite a few bits of jewellery today ( note to self - stop buying jewellery) but I'll put those in a later post. What did I wear today?

Today I went for a bit of pattern mixing:


 

The spotty skinny jeans are charity shopped; the top with little squares from the £1.00 rail in the Salvation Army, and the sea foam M&S cardigan bought for £4.00 from Save the Children, and last seen here, but before the 'not buying it' pledge! Brogues bought in Tesco's half price sale.


Necklace and earrings charity shopped.


Bangles and watch charity shopped

Monday 25 January 2016

Not Buying it - Days 24 and 25


Day 24


Continuing with the comfortable theme...Earrings - Sainsburys (where else?), necklace - East, charity shopped about 4 years ago, green bangles charity shopped.


This knitted tunic in green, navy and grey was bought in the 3:16 Christian charity shop for £2.00. Grey leggings from Sainsburys and Clark boots 50% off in their winter sale about 5 years ago.


I went out for a 5 mile walk so I wore my reversible knitted cape, infinity scarf and gloves which you can see in the picture below. I bought the brooch this week for £1.99 at the Salvation Army. I had to ditch the gloves and scarf pretty quick - it was so mild!


Knitted cape bought from the British Red Cross shop for £6.00; infinity scarf on charity shopping trip to Wellingborough from Scope for 99p and gloves are about 6 years old and are from Accessorize - they were 50p from Save the Children! It's a miracle I haven't lost them.


I believe I can fly.....

Day 25



The weather was so mild today - I didn't even wear a jacket to my volunteering at the charity shop.


I wore this black jersey maxi dress, charity shopped last year; knitted waistcoat from Topshop and bought in the Children's Society charity shop. The boots are from the Tesco outlet shop.


I look as if I'm communing with my maker! Beads with matching bracelet bought for me as a Christmas present some years ago, other bracelet also a present. Bangles charity shopped; earrings from Sainsburys.

I'm off to link up with  Patti's Visible Monday at 'Not Dead Yet Style'  here

A weekend visitor and an exhibition

 Hello!  I'll soon be off to Ireland  so let me tell you what I've been up to over the last two weeks.  I'll start with a whinge...