I've gone a bit bonkers!

Having not bought any clothes for 5 weeks I went a bit bonkers for a few days.  Or as my late mum would have 'sure, you've gone completely mad'. I popped into Bedford first thing Saturday morning to satisfy my desire to charity shop for clothes; followed that with a charity shopping trip to Northampton and then bought a couple of bits in the charity shop I volunteer in on Mondays - and bought a couple of things in the British Red Cross shop. On Tuesday I went to the Salvation Army shop and picked up a couple of things, too.  I feel happy now and not deprived!

On Saturday I bought this little blue and white container to hold my mini cacti - £1.50 in Save the Children, Northampton. I also bought 6 wineglasses in this shop for my daughter for £1.50.

I bought this blue knitted dress to replace some of the 4 dresses I gave away, as I realised they didn't suit me. This one is Empire line and suits me better. I bought this in Oxfam, Bedford for £5.00. The striped waistcoat was £2.00 from Save the Children, Bedford.

The scarf was £1.00 in the 3:16 Christian charity shop bought in Autumn 2015; the yellow tights were charity shopped ages ago. Boots from Sainsburys.

This time round I found that when I was charity shopping for clothes, I was much more choosy. I bought things I needed; slouchy jeans, structured pencil skirts and dresses. Yes, I bought 2 more Empire style dresses! One, a black knitted one from the £1.00 rail in the Cancer Research shop in Northampton, and a Country Casuals cerise, printed one for £1.99 in the British Red Cross shop.  I bought a white linen tunic from Next for £1.00 (for my holiday) and an animal print tunic for £1.50 (for my holiday) in the Sue Ryder shop in Northampton. This was a new shop to us as we've never come across it before on previous trips to Northampton.  Anyway, this time I found it much easier to look at clothes and discard them because I didn't need them, or they were the wrong shape or style for me.

I bought a patterned, scoop neck, short sleeved top  in Save the Children in Bedford for £2.00; as I have mostly plain tops with short sleeves. I also rescued a plain white Boden t shirt from the ragbag for 50p. I have plain white vests, plain white long sleeved tops but no short sleeved white t shirt! Finally, I bought a lovely colourful kimono for £1.99 in the British Red Cross shop and a coral coloured scarf in here for £1.00; not because I needed them but because I loved them. I also bought a crinkle, floral patterned long skirt for my holiday in the Salvation Army shop. Oh - and I bought a sweet bracelet with pink roses in it...

Earrings were bought in Debenhams in their January sale a good few years ago, metal cuff charity shopped and watch.

I think I have truly satisfied my  charity shopping urge for this week!

This is the kimono. I am going to wear it on Saturday when I go to see my son so I've hung it over a black draped top that I'll wear under it. I may wear it with black leggings or black skinny jeans and boots.

This is the skirt for my holiday.

This is the draped pencil skirt.

This is the small black and grey check pencil skirt.

This what I wore today. The second of the Empire line dresses - this one is H&M and from the £1.00 rail.

The cardigan is charity shopped a couple of years ago and the tights were also charity shopped. Brogues from Tesco 50%  off sale just after Christmas. Bangles charity shopped. I bought the necklace in a shop in Bedford called 'Simi and Lola' which is closing down and therefore has lots of reduced items. It's a lovely shop and I'll be sad to see it go. The earrings are from Sainsburys.

This is the sweet bangle I got for 50p and I bought this coral and red coloured necklace on Thursday for £1.25 at the Keech Hospice shop.  Yes, on my walking trip I passed 2 charity shops and had to pop in! I also bought this lovely hat there for £2.99 and a paperweight for 99p in Barnardos.

Isn't it fab? All I need now is somewhere to wear it to!

I am buying it!

I am buying it!

I was so excited to be buying again, I popped into Bedford town first thing Saturday morning to check out a few charity shops before we went to Northampton. I realised, through doing the shopping my wardrobe thing for 35 days, that I didn't have any boyfriend/slouchy jeans in my wardrobe; only straight leg or skinny ones, so I was very pleased to pick these ones up for £1.99 in the British Red Cross shop. It's a very casual look today!

I also bought a structured pencil skirt here for the same price - in fact all the clothes are this price  in this shop. Then in Age UK they had two rails of sale clothes and I picked up another pair of slouchy jeans for £1.79. Slouchy jeans are just like buses - there aren't any for ages then two come along at once! I also picked up a beautiful draped pencil skirt - Twiggy from M&S for £2.29, and a knitted tunic in cream for £1.79. I bought this Bench multicoloured, zip up top for £1.50 in the 3:16 Christian charity shop.

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Yellow t shirt rescued from the ragbag for 50p at Save the Children, where I volunteer. Red creepers charity shopped in Wellingborough in December 2015. I think the blue top I wore on the 35th day of 'not buying it' would go well with this jacket,  so would my red draped top and I have a black draped top that would also go with it.

 I remember reading somewhere a long time ago, that before you buy a garment make sure you have at least 3 or 4 other items that will go with it. I wish I had used this advice this more often - I have a couple of items in my wardrobe I find it difficult to pair  or match things with.

I may have to post a couple of pictures of these anti social items soon and ask you for your opinion!

Necklace, gift from my brother a couple of Christmases ago; I have a blue one, too. Earrings are about 15 years old and were charity shopped, but can't remember where. Bracelet 50p in Willen Hospice shop in Newport Pagnell and black ring I bought for myself years ago.

 I have a red blotch on my neck in this photo. I've noticed I get these blotches on my neck quite often now; I've no idea why and wonder if it's an age thing?

Northampton was a bit of a disappointment. I hadn't been for about 18 months and there seemed to be fewer charity shops than I remembered. I did pick up some bargains though so I'll show you those in my next post.

Not buying it - Day 35

Day 35

I have decided after 5 solid weeks to abandon the 'not buying it thing'. Partly it's because its such a hassle to get my OH to take the photos daily, but also because we are going charity shopping to Northampton tomorrow and what happens if I see something fabulous - or just a bargain? So this is my 35th consecutive post where I've tried to shop my wardrobe and wear outfits composed of what I already have, without adding any new items other than accessories. I can still carry the 'shopping my wardrobe' challenge forward, but I can buy new things and go back to just blogging once or twice a week; rather than every other day.

This outfit is entirely charity shopped. The wide legged navy trousers, the gingham shirt and the blue jumper.

The boots are my Tesco outlet faithfuls but will be binned soon as the heel is wearing down and it costs more to re heel them than they originally cost!

Bangles are charity shopped as are the pearl necklaces. I have quite a few pearl necklaces both long and short. The earrings were a present from OH when we stayed in Oxford for his birthday last year. They were off a market stall and he bought me a square pair as well but I left them in the mobile home in Donegal last year - by accident.

I'm going to link up with Spygirl's 52 Pick me up here - it's Sapphire blue this week and I think my blue top qualifies!

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!

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!!

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.

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!