2025 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

PipneyJane

Cherryfudge said:

Once again there is far too much interesting stuff on this thread! You are all better than a book...

@PipneyJane, I didn't know that about baby yarn, but it makes sense. 

And @Nelliegrace, I'm going to miss my silk stockings!

I’m lucky!  I found out yesterday that one of the babies is definitely a boy, and I know there’s a suitable large skein of baby blue upstairs.  The other is definitely a girl - she’ll have to get white and red stripes, but that’ll be fine if she has her daddy’s colouring. 

- Pip

Laura_Elsewhere

gosh, another wild spending spree! A dress, pair of shorts and a new swimsuit, in addition to the two new jumpers… I must sit down next week and sort out the calculations- I must be running low on coupons and not even four months in!!

PipneyJane

Laura_Elsewhere said:

gosh, another wild spending spree! A dress, pair of shorts and a new swimsuit, in addition to the two new jumpers… I must sit down next week and sort out the calculations- I must be running low on coupons and not even four months in!!

Heavens, yes, @Laura_Elsewhere .  However, knowing you, you will have purchased clothes that co-ordinate beautifully with items in your current wardrobe and be worn multiple different outfits.  Your nearly-eu-de-Nil green lambs wool jumper is the same one I gave DH for Christmas.  Lovely and warm and soft.  It’s his current favourite.

I am going to hit the charity shops later this afternoon.  I need smart, fitted t-shirts to wear with my work suits.  The majority of the current batch were purchased from H&M about 20 years ago and the rib on their collars is going on the fold.  Back in the day, I bought white, black, pale blue, navy, and grey.  The collars on both the white and pale blue are definitely going. I’ll need to check out the others.  Hopefully, I can find something similar.  (The collars consisted of sewn down, folded over ribbing, if that makes sense.)

- Pip

Gem-gem

@maryb, I am another person that had stopped using seed oils. We use olive oil or lard too and for all the same reasons. 

@Laura_Elsewhere, thanks for the tip on cleaning the lard. I have never recycled it. 

@maryb and @PipneyJane, I also pour the chicken/ duck fat / juice into a jam jar and then freeze it. When I want to use it, I scrap the fat off and use it to a) grease the pan b) make a roux which then becomes a chicken veloute (with the stock) and then I either use it as a sauce in a pie or add it to my roasting pan ( after removing the chicken etc ) and with vegetable water make the gravy - ultra process free. 

I use lard when making Yorkshire puds. 

I also use butter instead of margarine to bake with. 

I was a Brownie, @Nelliegrace, I don’t remember having my pocket contents inspected, but I do have a vague recollection about carrying 2p and a clean hanky, I tell my husband that we must iron our hankies and tea-towels so they are sterilised. I wonder if this is where I got that from? 

One clothing purchase to report...a blue and white striped long sleeved top. Quite snuggly. Zero coupons as I bought it second hand. 

PollyWollyDoodle

Could I enquire where you got the swimsuit, @Laura_Elsewhere?  I am, ahem, a traditionally built lady as I believe are you, I want something to swim in without exposing too much flesh, not for posing on the side of the pool.  It’s hard to find. 

Nelliegrace

I bought my decorous swimming costume with shorts legs in the sale at Sports Direct. “Boy leg” seems such a silly label for a decorous swimsuit suitable for adult women. I think floral swimming dresses look attractive.

Laura_Elsewhere

PollyWollyDoodle said:

Could I enquire where you got the swimsuit, @Laura_Elsewhere?  I am, ahem, a traditionally built lady as I believe are you, I want something to swim in without exposing too much flesh, not for posing on the side of the pool.  It’s hard to find. 

I know exactly what you mean- plunging necklines, high-cut legs, peepholes down the sides, argh!!!
or else just very sporty like competitive swimmers would wear, which looks daft on my size-22!
 And then the larger sizes all seem to have “tummy control” but I don’t want to be constricted and constrained whilst swimming, and I certainly don’t want to be unable to get changed easily! And I don’t want great thick armour-plating over my bust either!!

it’s good to find a straightforward swimsuit in larger sizes


I bought the bright red one  https://joanieclothing.com/sale-offers/swimwear.html?srsltid=AfmBOop6zUqouoLizI8kbXCYPFSC1jlCyXYNCqpKS8C-w4gf2aQKiD4D

weenancyinAmerica

@Nelliegrace - I was in Brownies to here in America. We made little felt wrist purses to carry our change for the phone. We used to sing a song about keeping a "smile" in our pockets - "now I'll take it out and put it on, it's a great big Brownie smile". I stayed in Scouting all through school - including college as I became a Brownie leader myself for 4 years. Still have my Scout books, plus copies I bought in the British Isles, plus additional ones from charity shops here.

Gem-gem

Last week, I spent another day emptying my DM house. I found material already cut out to make purses. Also, in the container were the clasps, embroidery threads, buttons to decorate. My DM made me a purse before C19 but I don't think she finished any others. In Feb, I also came across the pattern / instructions and packed it with DM other fabrics. I am going to get DM to teach me how to make the purses and then make them - to give as Christmas presents. DM and I will share them. I will let you know when I find the pattern just in case anyone is interested in making some. I have already made the pouches for this year, so these will be for next year. This means that I am not under any time pressure. 

Does anyone know how much you are supposed to put into a purse to prevent bad luck? 

Gem-gem

Just found this...
The idea is that an empty wallet symbolizes a lack of wealth or prosperity. To counteract this belief, it's common to put a small amount of money or a coin in the wallet before giving it as a gift. This gesture is thought to bring good fortune and ensure that the recipient will always have money in their wallet.

I have some multiple copies of £2 coins that are higher on the scarcity scale. These might be appropriate to give with an explanation?? Or going to the post office and getting a newly minted coin???

I remember once getting a purse with a coin in it but I can't remember how much or anymore details.