How was your week? The kids broke up for the summer on Friday and, beforehand, I was really busy finishing off my end of school year jobs list. However I did manage to find some time to myself and go on a very successful Thrifty Finds shopping trip:
- I bought a few more items on my summer holidays clothes list: a pair of navy shorts and khaki vest top for just £1.99 each from the British Heart Foundation shop; this brand new blue dress for £8.49 from the same shop:
I think I will wear this to work with leggings, as well as taking on holiday.
I also fell in love with this Henry Holland/Debenhams print dress, which was £8.50 from the Julian House shop:
You know when you see something on a rail and you have to have it? This was how I felt about this dress. Every so often on my secondhand shopping trips I get a real emotional response to an item of clothing and am reminded why I love charity shopping: amidst all the ill fitting Primark and Tesco cast offs there will be a unique outfit that I know no one else will be wearing. What I love about this dress is the style (Tea Dress, just above the knee so perfect for holidays), and the 80s style pattern: geometric blocks and – for some reason – horses and carriages!
2. As well as my successful clothing haul I also found some activity books for the kids to take on holiday. I’m not a big fan of comic books (especially when they have plastic tat stuck to the covers). I often find unused activity books in charity shops which are a cheaper alternative.
3.The children broke up from school on Friday and I completely failed at bringing in any Thank You presents. Instead, the Teachers and Teaching Assistants received personalised thank you cards from the girls.
4. My husband and I went on a weekend trip to London to catch up with old university friends. It wasn’t particularly cheap but I did reduce our train fare costs by buying single, instead of return tickets.
5. I also took my trusty zero waste essentials with me – reusable coffee cup and water bottle. However, once more I failed on the plastic straw front. I didn’t even think to ask for ‘no straw’ when ordering a glass of lemonade at a restaurant. However I did refuse their disposable handwipes.
I’d love to hear about your Thrifty Finds too! Please share your Thrifty Finds on my facebook page, or use #thriftyfinds on Twitter or instagram
We re-use plastic straws – my daughter seems to think the milkshake I make for her breakfast tastes better when taken through a straw. I’ve got a special brush for cleaning them, which I actually got with a set of bamboo straws. The latter are an acquired taste, although I am starting to get used to them myself.
Anyway, our thrifty finds were some DVDs which we enjoyed watching over the weekend. I did also spend a lot of money on a new pair of sandals – so unused to buying new at shop prices, I did feel quite guilty!
Yes but if you get a lot of use from the sandals then they’re definitely worth it! If I’m buying brand new clothes (it does happen!) I try to remember there’s a Cost per Use attached to all outfits, even second hand ones. Hope you’re enjoying the summer:)
Thank you, Kathryn – I hope you’re enjoying the summer, too!