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

goldfinches

@Rosa_Damascena - my birthday is in the middle of April and every year I wonder what the weather will be like that day. Some years it's snowed and other years it's been balmy enough to eat on the grass in the garden, I never can tell.

@cbsexec - I know just what you mean about not being able to carry very much, if I'm on foot I really have to limit weighty purchases these days. It was interesting to hear about the price difference that travelling a few miles makes.

@General_Grant - I'd completely forgotten that the word wasn't allowed, thanks for pointing out the work around.

I'm back from my trip to Bath which was lovely and I managed to visit three of the charity shops in the centre and have a good look into the windows of two more which I walked past late at night.

Interestingly, none of the shops I visited had more than three small shelves of books but all had good displays of both new and donated wool and very full clothing rails for both men and women. They all told me that anything I bought could be returned to my local branches provided I kept the labels on and showed my receipt which I was careful to ask about before looking at the rails.

I went into the bhf shop first and bought two Crew Clothing polo shirts which I think are just what a friend of mine is looking for at £6 each. Then I went across the road to Mind where I bought myself a very pretty Laura Ashley top, £5, and a rather striking Crew Clothing t-shirt also £5.

Then I crossed the road again to Cancer Research and found all these dvds for £1.25 each apart from the John Travolta double set which was £2.25. I was very pleased to find all of these especially The Commitments as that was the book that introduced me to Roddy Doyle novels.

I also had a look into the windows of the Shaw Trust which looked to have a good variety of items in a nice wide shopfront in George Street and the price labels I could read seemed reasonable to me. The Oxfam shop has a corner site at the junction of George Street and Gay Street which again looked nice from the outside and seemed to have some interesting stock at fairly good prices. There's supposedly a Cats and Dogs Home charity shop also in George Street according to my online search but I didn't spot it when I walked along on the other side of the road late in the evening.

All in all, the Bath charity shops that I visited seemed to have more clothing, particularly for men, and far fewer household/kitchen items and books than the ones I usually shop at here in Oxford. I didn't come across a single cookbook and only a couple of gardening books in all three shops I went into and there were no baking tins or tools and only a very small amount of glassware and mugs. I could have bought some really beautiful Royal Worcester serving dishes but no plates or bowls to go with them. It was all very thought provoking but I'm not sure three shops is a big enough sample to draw any conclusions from.

Floss

@goldfinches I loved the film of the Commitments, especially the horse in the lift!

Rosa_Damascena

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81942644#Comment_81942644

The language is a bit fruity, though!

Wednesday2000

I was thinking about the film The Commitments the other day. I think I heard a song I remembered from the soundtrack.

DigForVictory

Went to see it in a two screen fleapit & so flatmate & I happily watched Cinderella and the Commitments. Slight cultural whiplash, but great fun & glorious music!

Brie

Pleased myself with my "scarf" vision. On holiday and a woman was wearing a lovely scarf - a huge one. As she was leaving I commented to her that it was lovely and we got chatting. Turns out she'd bought it in Vancouver while visiting her son. She was gracious enough for me to have a good look at the label (or maybe she didn't want to boast?). Marvellous Hermes silk - must have been at least a meter square which would have cost around £400-500. Not one of their current ones but much nicer with a bright blue/turquoise pattern. One I'd be more than happy to have.

goldfinches

@Brie - you inspired me to look for pre-loved Hermes scarves online and there are some really beautiful designs but oh the prices are eye-watering.

@Rosa_Damascena - I feel somewhat lacking in the "fruity" vocabulary area so shall treat the film as a masterclass.

I popped my head round the door of my favourite bhf shop yesterday and found all these items. The dvds were both £2, the loose bottomed heart shaped tin was £2.50, the much wanted Veganistan was £2 and the silicon loaf moulds were £3.50.

I've already got two of Sally Butcher's books, both from charity shops, and they're great so I was thrilled to spot this one. I plan to make the carrot pickle as soon as my veg box arrives on Friday.

mrsjaw

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81912594#Comment_81912594

sorry to butt in - I have a very similar style in navy and they’re so comfortable - they’re called ‘mod comfy’

Rosa_Damascena

@goldfinches - "Vegistan" looks fascinating so I shall scrutinise my library for a copy the next time I make a visit. Your silicone moulds look pristine, btw. What I found discombobulating about the language in The Commitments was that it was almost every other word out of the mouth of babes - I'm used to gritty East London and it is not normal there!!

Yesterday I couldn't resist another coat - similar to this, in a deeper green. It is pristine, and mine for all of £3: https://www.jackwills.com/womens-luna-water-resistant-wind-resistant-detachable-hood-short-puffer-jacket-666617#colcode=66661799

Floss

@Rosa_Damascena the thing about Roddy Doyle's writing is that it is very true to life as life was on the Northside of Dublin back then - a bit like life in rough parts of most cities with poverty, poor education, few jobs and a lack of external support. Doyle was a teacher & on his way home from work one day he saw a horse on a high-rise balcony, hence the horse in the lift.

Chazzer-wise, I've had a bit of a splurge recently. I've found the most recent JO & HFW books, plus Persiana: Easy all for £2.99 each, a mushroom leather bag with 2 straps & tassel (Pom Pom London type) for £7.99 and several summer dresses for between £4-8. In my defence I did donate 2 bags last week, plus put some things on Vinted.