Pick'n'Mix - the joy of the chaz in '26!

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81914581#Comment_81914581

You missed out by not staying local this weekend. Rayleigh was full of goodies and my favourite one at The Bell was selling all non-electrical items for the princely sum of £1.

Miró

Ooooh lookee what I found today….my first Persephone 🥰 From the CRUK shop in Northallerton for £3. Nearly missed it as I have been looking for the plain grey covers but I recognised the title. Gonna save it for one of those days when everything goes wrong and the world news is (even more) dire! I forsee a couple of glasses of good wine and some picky bits to accompany the read.

One bright spot today tho….finding a new chazza in Northallerton….been open since October, (how did I not know about it 😳). It’s in the high street, the Oak Tree Animal Charity. A lovely spacious shop with interesting bits and pieces and some nice quality clothes. Also has a lovely, well appointed changing room. Came away with this Lipsy midi dress….the shirred bodice and cuffs look a bit weird in the pic but it’s much nicer in real life!

MSE_James

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81904812#Comment_81904812

Bournemouth town centre itself has only a couple of charity shops (Samaritans and PDSA). Depending what sort of thing you like, Westbourne has some good slightly more upmarket options My mother-in-law visiting from Belgium was very pleased with the coat she bought in a Westbourne charity shop.

Poole High Street also not bad if you want lots of charity shops in one easy pedestrianised row - the big name national charities plus local hospices etc all well represented. Have had some bargains from the Salvation Army shop in Winton, tucked away just off the main road.

Further afield, Julia's House at Creekmoor and the big Barnado's superstore at Mallard Road are both good larger shops for the true obsessive.

Also: if you like a good old-fashioned junk shop (not a charity shop) then Second to None in Boscombe is worth a look. My wife and I stumbled on it by accident.

Wednesday2000

Thanks James. I already went and only tried the PDSA shop in Bournemouth. I will go back there in the summer for a proper look around at all the shops.🙂

Miró

Sooooo disappointed! My first visit today to the St Gemma’s Hospice 99p shop in their huge new location. They have only been and gone and done a Mary Portas on it😩😣😢 It is now all brightly lit, loads of dead space, bric a brac artfully arranged, clothing arranged by size and colour and it all resembles a cross between TK Maxx and Home Sense! The vibe is all about sterile organisation instead of the chaotic disarray which frequently unearthed a stunning find. It is also operating more as a normal chazza rather than a ‘clearance’ shop now with just a few 99p rails at the back. I spent ages looking around but did not find a single thing that had any appeal. Hardly anyone was buying anything and I heard lots a muttering about how the old shop is missed.

Anyhoo….no matter…the Bedale car booty starts up a week on Saturday 😁😅😁

DigForVictory

I say, @MSE_James, you've really got to know us, (or have found the near perfect job)

both good larger shops for the true obsessive.

I hadn't quite thought of myself in that bracket, but am always willing to learn. (Says she spelling 'obsessive' as 'eccentric', or 'eco friendly' or just 'so darn picky, better Well Off the High St')

Brie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81905559#Comment_81905559

@MSE_James

I didn't know you were local! Try Ferndown. About 8 charity shops by the library and on the main street.

And a very good butcher too…..

goldfinches

@Miró - I'm so sorry to hear of the disastrous reincarnation of your beloved 99p shop but thankyou for the photos, it's so interesting to see exactly what's happened when someone is telling you what they think.

On a lighter note I'm thrilled you've found a copy of Miss Pettigrew which is a fabulously enjoyable read and the shirred dress looks nice too.

@MSE_James - thanks for your expert roundup I think a group outing to Bournemouth may be on the cards now that we can't all make an expedition to visit the 99p shop.

@DigForVictory - never mind the synonyms just keep flexing and honing those hunter gatherer skills, we're going to need them in the near future!

I haven't done any charity shopping at all this week because it's been so busy here. I went to London for the afternoon and early evening yesterday but decided that I had so many things to do while I was there that it wouldn't be sensible to try to fit in yet another detour.

However, I am visiting Mayfair next Tuesday afternoon so wonder if anyone can recommend any charity shops between Marble Arch and Hay Hill, I've looked online and there seem to be several within easy walking distance so I'll allow enough time to pop into two or three.

Rosa_Damascena

Good luck with that, Miro! There used to be a Salvation Army here, otherwise your best bet is Marylebone High Street - but be warned, if you were disappointed with St Gemma's you're unlikely to get on well with these, based on price!

Otherwise, look behind Charlotte Street, there are a couple here IIRC but it is off your route:

ETA: I don't see the problem with St Gemma's, but then I didn't see the before.

Potternerd

@Magpie100 I’m totally team jumpsuit. Having avoided for years, they seem quite flattering on me. However a couple of years ago on holiday I drank a couple of GIGANTIC negronis (they’re far more generous with measures abroad) while wearing a jumpsuit and DH was about to send out a search party as it took me about 20 minutes to get back into my jumpsuit in the loo in my inebriated state. I only drink long cocktails now.

I’m also grass green with envy about your silver bag. I’m , if you’ll pardon the pun, a magpie for anything silver.

My recent buys:

Next kids white denim jacket £3

Levi’s skinny jeans £5.

BNWT Silentnight pillow protectors x2 £3.

William Morris cards, half a pack of 20 for 50p.

Long turquoise beads and stars necklace which I’m going to do something with? £2

Fleece blanket to protect sofas from cat hair £3

Grey PE top £4

Nike kids black and white PE hoodie£3

I’ve been in lots of shops but have been a bit stricter about do I really want it.