Friday 23 March 2018

Avoiding New

Twice recently when I've mentioned things that I'm looking out for at car boot sales or charity shops, people have given me details of where I could buy the same thing new.

But that's not the point................ I don't do New unless I absolutely have to.

 If you've ever seen the size of the ships coming into Felixstowe docks from China and driven along the A14 among the huge trucks carting all the stuff  to warehouses and shops around the country you would understand why I don't want to help contribute to the import of new when there is enough old already here.

So from 3 charity shops in Stowmarket, I have found 3 tee-shirts for me to wear around the house and garden in the summer. Men's large or XL in light colours......... so nice and baggy and cool - I hate clingy or dark colours when the weather is warm, and one of these still has a M & S price tag (£6). Total cost for 3 was £6.49.

I might tie-dye the white one...............me and white for gardening  is silly!


Apologies to everyone who is having trouble viewing my blog..........some people have said that since I changed the header photo my blog has shrunk. This is a complete mystery as I just took off one portrait shaped photo(the long tailed tits of the feeder) and swapped it for this new one. The photo automatically shrinks to fit in the right area and on my lap top it seems fine. Because I can only see it looking OK I have no idea how I should change it. I didn't alter any other settings. I have no idea what else to do to put things right?!

Back Tomorrow
Sue

26 comments:

  1. It is really weird but your blog format is back to normal. The wonders of the internet! I am with you on cutting down on buying new if I can reuse or repurpose. If I do decide to buy new I buy the very best I can so that the item does not wear out or become tatty. I hate the throwaway culture. Our house ias furnished with items passed down through the family. Some are brought up to date with new fabric or refurbished and mended. We have just had a Victorian clock returned after servicing that will go on for our life times and even longer. I have had my sofa recovered 3 times during the last 30 years. It was comfortable and a classic shape so why buy new?
    I have been watching the Repair Shop on BBC2 recently. It has been a joy to see people receiving back their restored and treasured possessions.

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  2. I too agree with you re not buying new! But really wanted to say how much pleasure the header photos give me! So beautiful!

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  3. You’re so right. The best jeans shorts in the world came from the thrift store, I have to be prised out of them!

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  4. Love your new header and yes, your blog did shrink. Mind you, I use an ipad so just stretched it to be able to read it. Have no idea why it does ie either!

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  5. It didn't shrink for me - maybe just a blogger problem rather than anything you did.
    Well done on finding those T shirts. I more or less live in T shirts; they're so very comfortable and practical and easy to wash and to iron.
    J x

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  6. Oh Sue I so know what you mean. I live next to the main rail line here in Queensland and see the miles of containers going past on a daily basis. My favourite places are charity shops and recycle centres for the same reasons as you.
    Cheers, Karen

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  7. Total agree with the not buying new. Love your new header photo x

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  8. Mine shrinks or grows bigger (I dare say I knock something with my sleeve but have yet to discover what that "something" is!! I know that at the top - where the blog address is, at the far right (on mine)are . . . which if you left click on shows a Zoom and % amount by which you can increase or decrease.

    Good charity shop finds. My husband will NOT go in the Range unless it is absolutely necessary as he complains about the "tat" in there, using up resources to make and transport and there just to tempt women to keep changing the tat for some different coloured/shaped stuff. I see his point . . . That said, I dragged him in there yesterday to get paint and grout . . .

    We have our own resources here for repurposing stuff - be it wool, material, wood and we use these for repairs or remaking things. Clothing has various lives - for best, for smartish, for around the house and finally for painting/gardening and then it becomes a duster or polishing rag. One of my husband's t-shirts had to be prised off him as it had been in use since 1970 and you could read the newspaper through it!

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  9. I keep a list in my bag of things that we would find useful, so when they turn up in the charity shop I can buy them. Often Freecycle is my first port of call.
    Arilx

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  10. We cut back buying new clothes, but that's because we have too many clothes, and our aim is wear what we have out. I still buy clothes and shoes new, but I love the charity shops for most other things.

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  11. I can't remember the last time I bought clothes brand new, as with everything it's car boot or charity shop.

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  12. I never buy new either. The only new items in our house are things we have been given as presents! Jane xx

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  13. I carry a little notebook in my handbag with items I'm looking for at the thrift stores or swap meets. I avoid buying new unless absolutely necessary. I refuse to buy anything with a Made in China label. The quality is so cheap, after one pass through the laundry it's already looking bad.

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  14. I love your header photograph but think maybe it has gone a bit narrower - hadn't noticed it before though.

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  15. I try to avoid imported goods but it is darn near impossible. Even garlic comes from China! Not mine of course, mine is poking through the soil in my own garden, thank you very much.

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  16. I cannot remember the last time i bought a new item of clothing,i think its about 11 years ago!.Its charity shops every time for me,Debi,xx

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  17. Birds of a feather! I see we are all on the same page here. I discovered second-hand stores for clothing about twenty years ago and haven't looked back. I started for the savings, but now do it for the environment too. I've added books, housewares, fabric, and craft supplies to the items I look for second-hand.

    So I love posts like this! I like the idea of tie-dye for that white shirt :)

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  18. I understand this, we car boot all summer long and I know that I can get most things I need there.
    Today in M&S Tom took a look at a jacket and complained about the price, I had to remind him that we were not at the car boot. lol
    Our's starts in a couple of weeks time, I've been saving in the piggy bank to give me some money to start me off, can you tell I'm getting excited?
    Briony
    x

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  19. I'm proud of you not to buy new when you can get quality things that you need for a bargain price. I have noticed that many people, way too many people, shopping is their hobby. The malls are jammed with people with bags of goods. I have not been to a mall in years and years. I wish we had car boot sales here. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  20. But what about the thrill of the chase? The excitement of the hunt? Half the fun is furtling around to get just what you want and need but in a different way and at a better price for your pocket and the world in general. LM x

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  21. Totally agree Jenny.....yes, yes and yes. Why contribute to pollution and using resources when it isn't necessary. Charity shops and local farmers market get my money.
    If there is no market for "Stuff " it will not be made and imported.

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  22. Don't have any problem seeing the blog and I love the new heading! Those container ships are HUGE! We went down to Landguard Fort over on a small boat from Shotley and went past some of them - absolutely massive! Second hand things are fun to hunt for - getting a good bargain is always a good thrill and it's great to get use out of something someone else no longer has a need for.

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  23. I like to buy clothes and wait for a good deal as well. Shoes are a must to buy new for our feet. We buy used cars and I the sales on food all the time. I don't buy food that's from out of USA and Canada, unless it's chocolate from UK and Switzerland! Yard/garage sales are what's the thing in spring/summer/fall in the USA. I like your header. Sometimes ya have to fiddle with it but I think it's good anyway. It may be the photo itself. Happy weekend!

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  24. I also love Charity Shops and car boots and only buy new as a last resort, although this year I made a resolution not to buy any new clothes, I am on track at the moment. A recent find was a M and S duvet cover but to complete the bedroom redecoration I needed new curtains, yesterday lo and behold in a different C S a matching pair of curtains £7.99 I was thrilled, so keep looking something suitable will turn up. Best wishes to you and Col.

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  25. We have a problem buying new because of all the horrible chemicals they use, including formaldehyde, especially furnishings, makes us quite unwell, within reason no harm in getting pre loved xcx

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  26. You and me both , Its very very rare i buy anything new to wear or textiles and decorative items for the home , You just have to be patient, They always turn up in the end xx

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