Old style ..... selecting the best bits!

mah_jong

As I was throwing out a ripped and unrepairable blouse ...I thought ...oooo I just threw that in the bin with out taking the butons off!!!!

I spent years doing this, my button box is legendary! However whilst still full, the only ones that go in it now days are the little single ones in a packet that come with new clothes, I always know where to get them!

Its years now since I got a whole set in or out! The only ones to come out recently have been white shirt/blouse buttons.

So thinking about this I thought what other things have changed for me over the years....

I dont remove zips, for same reason as above.
I havent turned a collar since the 70's.
I dont knit coz its cheaper , I knit for pleasure should I wish to. Far cheaper to buy! even unravelling a jumper and re-knitting is a distant memory.
I dont wash by hand with the exception of woolies..I think they last nicer for longer this way. Infact when my last washer died, it took about one bath load of sheets to tell me I MUST buy one that today!!!

I did turn a good linen sheet a couple of years ago ... so may make pillow cases out or anther one in tme.
Cooking is becoming fun again since re descovering the slowcooker. (Thanks sqeaky for the chilli/ginger/chicken concoction....lovely!!!)
I make all my own bread BUT use a machine...so that falls in between. I did try several times by hand..but it was always a failure.
gardening is done OS, with clippings and cuttings but the old push mower is now an electric model. Compast heap is gently warming in the corner!
But with three jobs I dont have time to grow veggies just a couple of herbs.
I am still careful removing paper and string...( some things never go!!!)
Also, due to heaps of stuff collecting I have a clearout form time to time and give piles away to the charity shops ( yes..might come in handy .... BUT not used in years so OUT and give me space!!). Though after seeing a HUGE price tag on one of my unused items I quaked a bit,....... but thought fair dos if they get that good on them!!!

Sorry for the ramble..... just a few thoughts ....have you any??

So am I selective OS or just pretending to be OS!!!

squeaky

There ain't no rules to Old Style.

Except maybe keep it pain free and within your own comfort level

MATH

I always considered myself Ol'Style but having read others posts I realise I am only playing at it. I too have tried, continued, and rejected various Ol'Style techniques.

I used to make dishcloths from old towels/nappies and think I will always do so because they are much better than the ones you can buy and I hate Jcloths.

I used to save old sheets to make wiping cloths. I no longer do so cos I have now stockpiled enough to take me into the next millenium.

I tried making laundry gloop and stuck with it for a while but have gone back to economy washing powder. it's cheap and cleans better IMO


Tried using vinegar for cleaning and wasn't impressed:eek: Sorry but I wasn't.:o I went back to my modest selection of cleaning chemicals which I have now narrowed down to bleach, fairy liquid, washing powder, glass cleaner.

Never used my breadmaker - now I use it every week (but not everyday)

Always used my slo-cooker until it broke. Have not replaced it and don't miss it. I know I even surprised myself - but I REALLY don't miss it.

Used to run myself into the ground trying to cook everything from scratch. I now buy some shop-bought and concentrate on the things I can make much better/cheaper/healthier than Tesco can;)

I have always been fanatic about recycling and continue to be. It's a personal challange to keep reducing the amount of waste we make.

I have started to clip/print coupons but when I no longer need to I'm sure I will stop cos it is a lot of faddle at the checkout.

How about the rest of you?

VickyA_2

I'm not as Old Style as I could be, but that will change in a couple of weeks time when my course ends and I'll have to be full on Old Style - or as far as I can go.

I sort of plan meals, but not rigidly. For the two of us, we spend about £25 per week on groceries. I know what we need and what we don't. I've got a slow-cooker, but I haven't used it yet and I'm DEFINITELY not using it today. It's hot enough sitting still, nevermind working in the kitchen!

When I make cakes, I'll make a batch and put them in the freezer, lightening my load somewhat.

We use vinegar for a few things - seems to be doing well in the washing machine and clothes are quite soft. I shop around, but don't have too many places to shop around in - but Wilkos is heaven!

I wasn't very OS yesterday when I bought some salmon pastry things for supper next week - but they did have a yellow sticker on and were considerably reduced.

We recycle as much as we can, but can't have a composter in our miniscule garden. I look forward to the day when we can buy our own house and we can have a veggie patch and composter.

I look in charity shops for clothes, but never find anything that I like. I think I live in the wrong area! I do use the library for books and also do swaps with friends/my mum.

I'm not a perfect Old Styler, but at least I'm taking some things on board and I love looking at these threads and getting a couple of ideas.

MATH

VickyA wrote:

I'm not a perfect Old Styler, but at least I'm taking some things on board and I love looking at these threads and getting a couple of ideas.

One persons perfect Ol'Styling is anothers drudgery and to yet another blatent modern consumerism. If you are at a level you are comfortable with, enjoy and find workable it is "PERFICK" for you.:beer:

pol

For me, old style is doing the best you can to fit in with your lifestyle.

I have arthritis so I make big batches of mash, mashed carrots/swede, homemade meals to freeze, so that even on bad days I can make fresh 'real 'food.
I like to buy my clothes from charity shops/car boots, but I sometimes buy from Asda.
I get my husband to knead bread for me, but if I have to, I'll buy shop bought.(I'm thinking about getting a breadmaker just to knead for me)
I used to sew, knit, bake and everything, but now I just do the best I can. (I recently knitted two hanging basket liners from recycled wool).
Gardening has always been old style, I dislike chemicals, but I will use them on occasion.
I have always recycled everything I can and will carry on as long as possible, but everyone has limits, and as has been said before, it is whatever you feel comfortable with, that counts as 'old style'.

pol