Back in the charity shops
I found a couple of things, a long turquoise linen skirt (which in my head is very Vronni) and this smocky blouse. Now I see it on I'm not 100% convinced it's right for me as it's a bit tight in the bust, but I have gained about a stone in lockdown, so perhaps as I lose that the blouse will fit better. Both items were bought because I wanted stuff that was both smartish but also comfortable to wear when spending most of my time at home. I'm more '30s beach pyjama' than 'trackie bottoms'. Today I'm wearing the blouse with wide-legged linen trousers, and it's all jolly comfy.
The gyms have reopened too, so I went to mine last week. I only did half an hour on the exercise bike, as it's been so long and I didn't want to start by overdoing it and injuring myself. It felt good though!
In all honesty, I'm not sure how long places are going to say open. There's a covid hotspot in Swindon, and I can't help thinking it's going to spread to other parts of Wiltshire. I saw someone online saying 'treat this period as a respite, not the end' and that's what I'm doing – we've still got spare cat food, a bag of pasta, tinned things, a pack of loo roll (we're not the sort of idiots who bought tons of the stuff in March!) and so on set aside in case we have to isolate fully for a fortnight or more. Gosh, that sounds gloomy, doesn't it? Weirdly, I'm not, I'm actually off the stress pills right now.
There's been a sort of gentle pleasure in getting out forgotten things, be it clothes or crockery, and enjoying them once more. In the day-to-day rush of commuting I'd always fallen back on a few old favourites, so having time to look through what I've got has been good. There's something wonderful about using things up, the lotions from Christmas gift sets, the soaps bought as holiday souvenirs. Little bits of good times to be enjoyed. I'm not in any rush to acquire anything more than the occasional charity shop bargain. It's nice, really.
Have you been in any charity shops yet? Promise me you're keeping your emergency stash in good order!
That blouse looks absolutely gorgeous on you, the fit is perfect. You'd be hard pressed to find something that lovely in a proper shop!
ReplyDeleteWe've only been to one chazza, as far as I know it's the only one open at the moment in Walsall. It's a clearance superstore so it's the same size as TK Maxx so there's no danger of it being overcrowded. There's huge vats of sanitiser at the entrance and I felt perfectly safe. We're hoping to pop down this week as I need some cotton fabric to chop up.
Like you, we've made sure we're okay for the essentials - booze, cat food & litter, a multi pack of loo roll, nothing in excess, that's just daft! Sandwell is a Covid hotspot (half a mile from our house) so who knows what's in store. We're absolutely fine though. xxx
I love the clearance ones, that's what one I went to in Trow is.
DeleteI love white-embroidered fabric, especially the schiffli fabrics the Victorians and Edwardians used. It's just so romantic... (So, of course, I end up spilling stuff all over it. This top got a splash of Vimto.)
Thats a nice classic blouse you have there, fit looks ok to me too. its so nice to be back at the gym, ours has a pool, very lucky. Our chazzas are open but no new stock. I have lost interest in shopping apart from Ebay and garden centres.
ReplyDeleteOooh, a pool must be lovely!
DeleteYeah, we've been hitting up the garden centres and online garden suppliers (Fothergills, Thompson & Morgan, Suttons) loads. We're so lucky to have that outdoor space.
The blouse is lovely on you-don't fear fitted shirts. I'd have gained more than a stone if I'd been eating the dishes Pete has been posting on Instagram. We're still teeming with virus here, and although everything is open I've only been out in shops once a fortnight for groceries and the pharmacy. The risks are just too great where I live. I'm not stockpiling anything. but I buy a bit extra on each grocery run-a habit I picked up living on a farm in the middle of nowhere for 12 years. I'm lucky that I can get workouts at home, boring as it is. I miss people...well, some of them anyway.
ReplyDeleteYeah, we've been going all-out on the food front, for several reasons. Nice food is something we can have safely, and something we can do for each other. And working from home, going into the kitchen to cook something proper breaks off the workday nicely.
DeleteI hadn't realised the virus was so bad where you are - most of what we see on the news here is New York, California, Florida and Texas. It's such a scary ilness because the after-effects still aren't properly understood. I know people who still aren't 100% better months later. Nobody needs that!
I do agree with Vix that your new-to-you blouse looks absolutely gorgeous on you, and it looks perfect worn with those wide-legged trousers We've been to a couple of chazzas - most of ours are generally more spacious than the average UK one - and I have bought a couple of things. Now that Antwerp and surrounding area is a Covid hot spot, I don't think I will be going shopping again any time soon, except for essentials. Ever since our first period of semi-lockdown, we've always got extra loo roll and a couple of other things. We always buy cat food in bulk due to Phoebe's dietary requirements, so she certainly won't go hungry. We have been using up things too, and I've certainly been wearing things I hadn't looked at in years, which I agree is very satisfactory! xxx
ReplyDeleteBelgium's been on the news here - Britons visiting Belgium are meant to quarantine for a fortnight on getting back, though our government's so rubbish I don't believe any quarantines are actually being enforced.
DeleteI'll chime in and agree: I love the blouse! Show off those girls, honey! ;-P I can't wait to see your turquoise skirt!
ReplyDeleteGood to see you, Mim, and good to hear that you've been out in the thrifts. The consignment stores are open here, but not the true charity thrifts (that I'm aware of). Stay safe out there! Our region is seeing slight increases as they open things up and people connect more.
I need to go round again - I bet they'll have a whole summer's worth of donations arriving, so there could be some bargains to be had.
DeleteI too think that blouse is a keeper.
ReplyDeleteI have actually been in a shop for the first time recently, it felt a bit weird. We had a little hot spot in East Oxford, you can't help feeling it's not done yet.
Yeah, I think we'll see an upswing again in the autumn when the schools and universities go back. I'm still being really careful - enjoying a few old activities but nothing's back to 'normal'.
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