Let Thrift shopping thrive in 25!

Wednesday2000

I had a class today, but I didn't have my usual jaunt around the charity shops in Leigh-on-sea as I had left my wallet at home!

Watty1

I've been using some crystal glasses from a friend's mothers house that was being cleared.  The friend was recently here for a meal and I gave her a drink in one, saying it was one of her mum's glasses.  She was quite emotional that I use them.  I do, most days. They came to me as maybe 40 years old if not more and had spent all their life in a cupboard "for best" maybe but clearly never used as they still had the stickers on.

My partner said, on seeing them, it won't be long until we break them. Which is true, but they will have been used and loved.    And that really is the point. I'm trying hard to love and use what I have now.

Miró

I have at least 4 full sets of china and lots of crystal glasses and dishes. Some inherited, some were wedding presents and some from when I had a job with a hefty 50% off staff discount at a very posh shop.  Yet I only ever use my boring plain white Ikea 365 stuff…why?  I dunno!

Today’s trip to Otley was lovely….warm sunny day, loads of fluffy white clouds, red kite swooping overhead, stunning views over the valley with the river in full spate, fields full of cows, sheep, a few deer and the odd donkey and the trees starting their autumnal colour changes.  Even managed to find a nice buy in the St Gemma’s 99p shop….only it was £2.99 cos it was on the ‘designer’ rail.  

Ooops, giant pic syndrome again! Bit daft buying summery frocks at this time of year but I just loved the colours! By Stella Morgan and price tag still attached £50.

Anyone have any chazza intel on Hereford, Worcester, Leominster areas please?  Orft for a short break.

Brie

Watty1 said:

I've been using some crystal glasses from a friend's mothers house that was being cleared.  The friend was recently here for a meal and I gave her a drink in one, saying it was one of her mum's glasses.  She was quite emotional that I use them.  I do, most days. They came to me as maybe 40 years old if not more and had spent all their life in a cupboard "for best" maybe but clearly never used as they still had the stickers on.

stickers still being on may not mean they've never been used.  my MiL got annoyed when I removed a sticker from a jug when washing it because it meant she didn't have a record of where she'd bought it originally.  It's taken most my married life to get my OH to accept that ALL stickers come off as soon as things are bought or otherwise before first use.  And no point in buying something that we're not going to use!!

weenancyinAmerica

Does anyone use https://charityretail.org.uk/find-a-shop to find shops in towns they are planning to visit? They claim to list 85% of the shops in the UK.

StickyTheStickInsect

weenancyinAmerica said:

Does anyone use https://charityretail.org.uk/find-a-shop to find shops in towns they are planning to visit? They claim to list 85% of the shops in the UK.

I didn't know about this! This is really helpful, thank you for posting it

Rosa_Damascena

StickyTheStickInsect said:

weenancyinAmerica said:

Does anyone use https://charityretail.org.uk/find-a-shop to find shops in towns they are planning to visit? They claim to list 85% of the shops in the UK.

I didn't know about this! This is really helpful, thank you for posting it

And ironic that it is shared by an OS based in America! 

Potternerd

Ooh thank you for the link @weenancyinAmerica

I’ve been on a bit of a binge lately.
2 dresses the white one is linen mix by Maeve and cost £5.
The brightly coloured one is River Island and cost £6. It’s stretchy material.
2 denim jackets - the collarless one is DKNY  and is lined and snuggly £8.
The other one was £4 and it’s Gap kids. I like big kids jackets as I find grown ups ones are often too long in the arm.
Sky blue Next vest £3.50
Tommy Hilfiger grey tee £3
Papaya black cotton mix jumper with metal stars £5
Gap blue and white striped fleece top £5
M and S silver trainers with little/no w
ear £3
Tiny  Radley pink coin purse £4
2 bracelets an adjustable silver christening bangle £5
A silver coloured one inscribed with “sing like no one is listening”. Possibly a bit naff, but I do love to sing. And it was only £1.
Loads in the donation bag and in my Vinted shop including 3 denim jackets.

Rosa_Damascena

Wow, what a haul @Potternerd ! The light trainers are exactly my kind of thing, my feet won't forgive me if I totter round in heels and this kind of footwear is the ideal compromise - comfy shoes needn't be ugly 

Frith

Miró said:

I have at least 4 full sets of china and lots of crystal glasses and dishes. Some inherited, some were wedding presents and some from when I had a job with a hefty 50% off staff discount at a very posh shop.  Yet I only ever use my boring plain white Ikea 365 stuff…why?  I dunno!

Today’s trip to Otley was lovely….warm sunny day, loads of fluffy white clouds, red kite swooping overhead, stunning views over the valley with the river in full spate, fields full of cows, sheep, a few deer and the odd donkey and the trees starting their autumnal colour changes.  Even managed to find a nice buy in the St Gemma’s 99p shop….only it was £2.99 cos it was on the ‘designer’ rail.  

Ooops, giant pic syndrome again! Bit daft buying summery frocks at this time of year but I just loved the colours! By Stella Morgan and price tag still attached £50.

Anyone have any chazza intel on Hereford, Worcester, Leominster areas please?  Orft for a short break.

My neck of the woods!

Most of Worcester's charity shops are in one street, between St Swithins Church and St Martin's. There are also 4 over the bridge in St Johns and 2 in Barbourne (as you leave the city on the A449). I recommend the Colombian cafe in Angel Place or have a cup of tea in the Cathedral. The newly renovated marina is nice and walk a bit further to the Severn. I went to sixth form college in Worcester!

Hereford is probably my favourite city in the world. Star College is my favourite. They are more scattered around the centre. Have a cup of tea in Bill's Kitchen and go to the Stanbury Chapel in Hereford Cathedral if you want to look at stained glass and a vaulted ceiling. 

Other excellent charity shop towns locally are Great Malvern (and Barnards Green), Stourport and Bewdley. 

I've got to be brutal here and say give Leominster a miss. It is quite run down now and I've never rated the charity shops. 

Instead, drive on to Ludlow which has excellent charity shops and is a beautiful town.